Denise Pusateri, Jamestown Public Schools coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, speaks to board members about the new K-8 math curriculum, enVision Mathematics by SAVVAS Learning. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

In September, Kindergarten through eighth students in Jamestown Public Schools will have a new math curriculum.

Members of the JPS Board of Education adopted Monday enVision Mathematics by SAVVAS Learning.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement Tina Sandstrom told board members that the easy part is selecting the curriculum, but the hard part is the implementation of the curriculum.

“SAVVAS enVision Mathematics is a recommendation that we are bringing you tonight,” Sandstrom said. “The choice was made by our staff.”

JPS Coordinator of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Denise Pusateri said the 33 teachers that piloted the SAVVAS curriculum came from all different grades including special education and general education. Pusateri added that 51 teachers piloted another curriculum, HMH Into Math during the same time frame.

Pustaeri showed a video presentation to the board where district teachers commented on the SAVVAS curriculum.

“The curriculum actually promotes the students to use any strategy they like, that we had learned so far, to achieve an answer,” said Bush Elementary School Second Grade Teacher Nichole Mason.

The technology component of the curriculum makes it very interactive for the students. For example, students and teachers can interact with the touch screen in the room, and manipulate and move information to find the correct answers for each lesson. Also with each lesson, there are workbooks that match the video lessons, so students can practice independently at their desks, Mason said.

Bush Elementary School Special Educational Teacher Brandy Smouse echoed Mason’s thoughts.

“The level of engagement for students and workspace provided give SAVVAS a decided edge over HMH. The amount of intervention materials is also much greater with SAVVAS,” Smouse said.

Ring Elementary School Fourth Grade Teacher Jennifer Hill the diversity of the curriculum is very appealing.

“Different kids think differently,” Hill added. “So when you can have different ways to get answers, it is really helpful.”

Persell Middle School Fifth Grade Teacher Annika Putney said that besides math, the SAVVAS curriculum offers connections to literacy, science, and music.

“Those are great things for our kids who get the math, and you want to push them a little further. It’s almost like they (connections) are challenges for them, “Putney said.

Board Member John Panebianco asked Pusteri if there is an increase in class participation with students, and with a smile on her face, she said “Yes.”

“In classroom participation, I’m definitely seeing it in my walkthroughs. In my experiences in the classroom, the kids (are) excited to do math – for a lot of them,” Pusteri said.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker said the people who are using the curriculum on a daily basis are the people who need to make the decision on what curriculum is chosen.

“The process that they go through is long and in depth. This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Whitaker noted. “When they say, here’s the winner, they’ve been through a lot of testing, a lot of trying, a lot of head scratching and questioning, and they the one that they have come out with, I believe is going to be appropriate.”

Board President Paul Abbott thanked everyone involved in choosing the new curriculum.

“To know that these things have been vetted out by the people who are in the in the trenches, and the efforts of everybody, and knowing how seriously you take this and how important it is for our students, and I just really want to on behalf of the board, thank everyone for their input and their efforts.”